Savings cost benefits cheat £11K

A Brentford man who hid thousands of pounds of savings while on benefits has been fined £11,000.

Kajinder Grover, 38, of Harvey House, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, was truthful about his low wages that meant he could claim housing benefits.

But he lied about £14,000 of savings in his bank account that would have cut his claims by £7,955.43 in housing benefit and £1,975.29 in council tax benefit.

Cllr Gerald McGregor, lead member for finance at the council, said: “The courts of England are sending out clear signals that claiming benefits you do not deserve and are not entitled to is a serious crime.

“At this time of economic necessity, there are many people out there who genuinely need help with benefit provision, and the money Mr Grover was lining his own pockets with effectively prevents this."

He was sentenced at Feltham Magistrate’s Court October 21 and mwas ordered to complete 150 hours community service, pay costs of £1,261 and repay £9,930.72 in benefits.

In court the District Judge commented that this was a fraud against everyone who pays taxes and that if Mr Grover wants the state to help him in the future he must declare any money.

To confidentially report benefit fraud, contact the council fraud team on 020 8583 2111 or fraud@hounslow.gov.uk.